AFP, PNP start security preparations for barangay, SK polls

Government security forces have started preparations for next month’s synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will both reactivate its respective Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) for the October 25 political exercise. In a statement released Sunday, newly installed PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said he has already instructed the entire 135,000-strong police force to take on election duties as deputies of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). He said the PNP would also implement 45-day security operations nationwide for the elections. Bacalzo tasked Police Director Benjamin Belarmino, PNP deputy chief for operations, as commander of Task Force HOPE 2010-Bravo, while the military has yet to pick its task force’s commander. "There is no definite date yet as to when the task force will be reactivated, as the AFP just met with Comelec officials last Friday," said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta on Sunday. Bacalzo said the police task force’s primary responsibility will be to oversee and supervise all election security operations by lower units. Mabanta said among the duties of the military’s Task Force HOPE are conducting security operations against armed groups threatening the conduct of polls, and serving as escorts for the transportation of election paraphernalia. Unlike the May 10 automated elections, the synchronized barangay and SK elections will be done manually. In line with their security preparations, the PNP and AFP will put up Joint Security Coordinating Centers nationwide to ensure coordination in operations between the two forces against armed groups and other violators of related election laws. There are over 40,000 barangays (villages) throughout the country. Mabanta said they are considering the regions of western Mindanao, Davao, Masbate, Abra and Samar as among the possible hot spots for the barangay election, as these were previously declared election hot spots during the May 10 polls. He, however, said they are not expecting much violence in the coming elections. The campaign period for the barangay election starts on October 14 and ends on October 23. The Comelec has already ordered the PNP and AFP to enforce a nationwide gun ban from September 25 to November 10, or 30 days before and 15 days after the synchronized barangay and SK elections. - KBK, GMANews.TV